Scorched

(2023)

This project was an exploration of traditional smoke-firing techniques. While doing a course on primitive fire making, I stumbled upon the opportunity to create a primitive kiln, changing the course to become a primitive ceramics researcher. I made the kiln using clay from the river and reinforced it with grass, making a primitive composite with surprisingly good insulative and mechanical properties. We fired the kiln using wood and charcoal and used grass and copper wire to impart the marks onto the clay body. The beauty of this technique is that the artist or craftsman isn't in control of the outcome. They can only try influencing the outcome, leading to unique and surprising results.